Functions:
It is necessary for nursing babies. Mammary gland of women who has not born children consist of conical disk of glandular tissue, which has shape and size according to the fat of a women. The glandular tissue itself is made up of 15-20 lobes composed of solid cords and ductal cells, each lobe is subdivided into many smaller lobules, separated by broad fibrous suspensor band which connect the skin with fascia, each lobe is drained by a separate excretory duct which converge beneath the nipple where they widen into milk reservoirs, before narrowing again to emerge as a pin point opening at the nipple, circular and radiating muscles of areola gives firmness to the nipple and facilitate suckling.
Diseases:
There are various disorders which affect mammary gland and breast and are very common, most of which are non cancerous or non malignant. Mastitis is very common condition, mastitis from milk engorgement, mastitis of mumps. Mastalgia, galactoele, fibroadenoma of the breast is also very common, benign tumour of the breast, breast cancer.
Interesting Facts:
The risk factors for breast cancers are females, old age, lack of child bearing or breastfeeding, higher hormones level, diet and obesity.
